Wang was drawn to Schwarzman’s practical and immersive learning environment and the intrinsic value of learning from classmates, professors, and mentors from different countries.
“If you want to really understand another culture or if you really want to immerse yourself in a different mindset, you have to step outside and to communicate with the people there and to really learn from your experience,” Wang said.
Wang is striving to use her filmmaking to broaden understanding between China and the U.S. Through WBB, Wang developed a deep appreciation for storytelling and community engagement. Upon returning to USC for her final year, she chose to pursue her passion by completing a minor in cinematic arts, even though it required taking seven classes in a single semester.
As both a business and film student, Wang has a keen eye for the intersection between creativity and viability. In the Schwarzman program, she plans to partner with her fellow scholars on multiple artistic ventures, employing empathy and collaboration in the entertainment industry.
Wang’s aspirations don’t stop there. In her third year in WBB, she began developing Edspresso (education meets espresso), a digital coffee chat platform designed to connect users from different backgrounds and nationalities. Wang was inspired by her own in-person coffee chats with WBB classmates, in which they shared personal insights on world events.
“I realized deep and profound conversation didn’t necessarily need to happen in a really formal setting. It could happen anywhere, especially during idea exchanges with people from various backgrounds,” Wang recalled. “That’s when I got this idea to found a coffee chat platform to build up global use exchange.”
As a founder and storyteller, Wang sought to expand her global network after her undergraduate graduation. The Schwarzman Scholars offered the resources to kickstart her global entrepreneurship journey and build new connections, while bringing her home after four years in WBB.
“After spending all these years abroad, it feels like ‘full circle’ for me returning to where I was born, where I grew up after all these years of experience,” Wang said. “I also aspire to [become] an international entrepreneur in China. I feel like the Schwarzman could be a really, really exciting starting point for me.”
Wang’s inclusion in the Schwarzman Scholars marks the second consecutive year a Marshall and WBB student has been accepted into the prestigious program. Last year’s Marshall scholar, Amina Shafeek-Horton ’24, lived up to the values of the Trojan Network by assisting Wang in her interview preparation, ensuring she highlighted the unique profile that made her a perfect Schwarzman candidate.
“[Amina is] part of the reason why I wanted to apply to this program,” Wang said before recalling the preparation she did with Amina. “I did a final [mock] interview with Amina the night before, and she really encouraged me. She provided me with a lot of positive feedback and a lot of useful tips.”
As she returns to Beijing, Wang feels she has a responsibility to represent the programs and mentors who helped her along the way.
“I do not represent myself only. I also represent the entire Schwarzman community. I represent the entire World Bachelor of Business family,” Wang said. “I feel like that could be a motivation for me to keep pushing my boundaries and to keep exploring what I’m passionate about.”
Wang will begin the program in August. Following graduation, she hopes to grow and scale Edspresso, collaborate with fellow scholars on other entrepreneurial efforts, and eventually start her own creative production company.